Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://specialtyfoodmagazine.epubxp.com/i/139333
candy counter Riding the Craft Beer Revolution Our Signature Favorite Available in 3pc & 7pc The popularity of these sweets is riding the coattails of the craft beer revolution. While mainstream beer sales remain flat, craft beer has shown double-digit growth year over year for nearly a decade. The burgeoning movement has raised consumer awareness of all things beer, including ale-flavored confections. "Craft beer is certainly trendy right now and that's part of the reason why confectioners are jumping on that bandwagon," says Brittany Blumer, purchasing analyst for Standard Market in the Chicago area. Currently, the retailer carries a number of beer-and-pretzel caramels from two local producers, Chocolate Twist and Truffle Truffle. "It's a trend right now," Blumer says of the beer candies, "but I think it will actually stick." "Craft is the fastest-growing segment of the beer industry, and specialty chocolate is the best-growing area of the candy industry. It's a great overlap," says Steve Casselman, owner of Beercandy and The Great Beer Company brewery. The awardwinning brewer's candy company produces several varieties of caramels and taffy made with lager, IPA, stout and lambic-style beers, as well as hopped-up hard candies called Hopdrops. "Bitter could be the new sour," he quips about this last item. ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com PHOTO: VOSGES Summer Fancy Food Show Booth 4213 72 —Steve Casselman Taking Advantage of Ale Appeal Ale-oriented confections have a broad audience, from the average beer drinker to aficionados, as well as those looking for unique gifts. "Guys put on the brakes when they see candy with beer in the name. That definitely attracts the men," notes Rhonda Kave, owner of Roni-Sue Chocolates, a confectioner with a retail shop in New York's historic Essex Market. "About 80 percent of our customers are usually women, but beer and bacon products have drawn in the 800.372.6808 | Seattle, WA franschocolates.com "Craft is the fastestgrowing segment of the beer industry, and specialty chocolate is the best-growing area of the candy industry. It's a great overlap."